Incentive for participation

pfbond74 · September 2003

Our company participates in a United Way drive each year. Is it ok to offer an incentive (free soft drink) to employees who contribute to this drive?

Peyton Irby MS · September 2003

certainly not illegal to do so. one soft drink is not a "bonus" so as to affect anyone's rate of pay for w & h purposes.
Peyton Irby
Editor, Mississippi Employment Law Letter
Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A.
(601) 949-4810
[email]pirby@watkinsludlam.com[/email]

Parabeagle · September 2003

I use to give out scratch-it lottery tickets to those who signed up. That was about the only way I could get some folks to contribute!

pfbond74 · September 2003

Thanks for the quick response.

deniseE · September 2003

Our company does a few things...first is a drive to get people to sign up...the department with the greatest percentage of donators wins the "trophy" for the year. Using the percentage system, it keeps it a bit more fair since some areas have hundreds of people while others have only 15-20 people.

At the end of the year a "thank you" break is held. The organizations receiving the donations provide pins to employees representing either continued support or a newcomer. This year was a breakfast thing and we had bagels, doughnuts and coffee.

Participation is pretty high and we can do it directly through payroll deduction-which makes it really easy!

hrbanker · September 2003

We give several prizes for different levels of participation. Those who give through payroll deduction go into a hat for a gift certificate. All contributors are eligible for a drawing for a day off.

System · September 2003

Our company is a large contributor and supporter of our local United Way, and we offer payroll deduction to our employees. To encourage employee participation, we have a drawing for cash prizes from all those who participate (6 people receive $50), and draw for days off with pay from all those who are participating for the first time or who are increasing their donation (6 folks will receive a day off).

Incentive for participation

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